Call it the Marta Factor. The Western New York Flash soccer team, Rochester’s first professional women’s squad, will play to a national television audience on Fox Soccer Channel eight times, the most of any club in Women’s Pro Soccer. The WPS released its schedule today, including nine home games at Rochester’s newly named, Sahlen’s Stadium. The Flash, which already has made a splash by signing five-time FIFA World Player of the Year and Brazilian superstar Marta, play their historic opener April 17 against the Boston Breakers. That 6 p.m. match is also on FSC. Their home opener is May 1 against Atlanta. WNY’s home schedule also features two matches against Abby Wambach‘s Washington Freedom on May 22 and July 20. The WPS will take a break from June 25-July 4 because of the Women’s World Cup in Germany. LOOK FOR MORE IN FRIDAY’S EDITIONS.

WNY FLASH SCHEDULE

(home matches at Rochester’s Sahlen’s Stadium)

Sunday, April 17: WNY at Boston Breakers, 6 p.m. (FSC)

Sunday, April 24: WNY at Atlanta Beat, 6 p.m. (FSC)

Sunday, May 1: Atlanta at WNY, 4 p.m.

Friday, May 6: Sky Blue FC at WNY, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, May 13: Boston at WNY, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 22: Washington Freedom at WNY, TBA (FSC)

Sunday, May 29: WNY at Philadelphia Independence, 6 p.m. (FSC)

Friday, June 3: Sky Blue FC at WNY, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 12: Philadelphia at WNY, TBA (FSC)

Saturday, July 9: WNY at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Sunday, July 17: WNY at Sky Blue FC, 6 p.m. (FSC)

Wednesday, July 20: Washington at WNY, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 24: WNY at Boston, 6 p.m. (FSC)

Saturday, July 30: WNY at Sky Blue FC, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 3: Boston at WNY, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 6: WNY vs. Atlanta at KSU Stadium, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 10: WNY at Washington, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 14: Atlanta at WNY, 6 p.m. (FSC)

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Jeff DiVeronica has covered professional soccer and the Rhinos for the Democrat and Chronicle since the team's inception in 1996. "Devo's Direct Kicks" takes aim mostly at Rochester soccer, but will also highlight the USL, MLS and U.S. national team play. Devo, his nickname since college at St. John Fisher, also hosts two weekly radio shows each Saturday on WHTK-AM/FM (1280/107.3 or www.whtk.com). "Kick This!" (11 a.m.) features soccer talk, while the Canandaigua National Bank High School Sports Show (noon) covers Section V sports. E-mail Jeff at jdiveron@DemocratandChronicle.com.
Or follow him on Twitter: @RocDevo